2021 Xi'an Summer Family Trip: A Budget-Friendly, Fun & Educational Guide
Xi'an, the ancient capital of six dynasties—though a millennia-old city, it's also a vibrant modern metropolis. Beyond its historical relics and cultural heritage, traveling with kids is not just about wild fun; it’s also about blending education with entertainment. As the saying goes, “Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.” On the road, children learn and broaden their horizons. When in Xi'an, the absolute must-sees for your little ones are the historical witnesses that bear the marks of time.
Meilihao Hotel (Xi'an Xiaozhai Dayanta Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City Branch) — A convenient and cost-effective hotel.
Address: Block A, Changfeng International Plaza, 86A South Chang'an Road, Xi'an
Price: Around 300–400 RMB per night
Highlights: Airport pick-up service, free parking, warm service, and various complimentary amenities.
Xi'an, the ancient capital of six dynasties—though a millennia-old city, it's also a vibrant modern metropolis. Beyond its historical relics and cultural heritage, traveling with kids is not just about wild fun; it’s also about blending education with entertainment. As the saying goes, “Read ten thousand books and travel ten thousand miles.” On the road, children learn and broaden their horizons. When in Xi'an, the absolute must-sees for your little ones are the historical witnesses that bear the marks of time.
Meilihao Hotel (Xi'an Xiaozhai Dayanta Tang Dynasty Ever-Bright City Branch) — A convenient and cost-effective hotel.
Address: Block A, Changfeng International Plaza, 86A South Chang'an Road, Xi'an
Price: Around 300–400 RMB per night
Highlights: Airport pick-up service, free parking, warm service, and various complimentary amenities.
[Xi'an Ming City Wall]
Xi'an's city wall has become a symbol of the city. Whether young or old, domestic or international travelers, the wall is an unmissable stop on any Xi'an itinerary. The so-called Xi'an City Wall actually refers to the Ming Dynasty city wall, the largest and best-preserved ancient fortification in China.
Crowds stream here just to lay eyes on this architectural masterpiece from a thousand years ago, or to stand atop the wall and gaze down at the striking contrast between the old and new districts. On one side, ancient houses with upturned eaves and centuries-old histories; on the other, a modern Xi'an skyline with skyscrapers, constant traffic, and rapid change. Here, you can feel the magic of time and space colliding.
The Xi'an City Wall has four main gates: Changle Gate (East Gate), Yongning Gate (South Gate), Anding Gate (West Gate), and Anyuan Gate (North Gate). These are the original gates of the ancient wall. This time, we visited the most popular and commonly used South Gate—Yongning Gate. Not only is it a primary entrance to climb the wall, but within walking distance you’ll find Xi'an landmarks like the Bell and Drum Towers and the legendary snack street—Huimin Street. That’s why it’s a top choice for out-of-town visitors to access the wall.
The Xi'an Ming City Wall stands 12 meters high, with a top width of 12–14 meters and a base width of 15–18 meters. Enclosing a rectangular area with a perimeter of 13.74 kilometers, the area inside is commonly called the Old City. Stroll along the wall and glance down at the centuries-old houses below—one look transports you a thousand years back. In that moment, Xi'an becomes Chang'an once more.
The Terracotta Warriors, also known as the Qin Terracotta Army, are located in pits 1.5 km east of Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum in Lintong District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. They are among the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units and one of China’s first World Heritage Sites. In 1987, the Mausoleum of the First Qin Emperor and the Terracotta Warrior pits were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and hailed as the “Eighth Wonder of the World.” Over 200 foreign heads of state and government have visited, making it a shining symbol of ancient Chinese civilization and one of the world’s top ten rare tomb treasures.
The Terracotta Warriors are a product of the ancient burial custom of human sacrifice. During the social changes of the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, funeral practices shifted, and figurines—made of pottery, wood, etc.—began replacing live human victims. The original meaning of “yong” (俑) was “human sacrifice.” As the practice faded, “yong” became the term for pottery sculptures, stone carvings, and human figures in tombs. The Qin Terracotta Army is a prime example of using figurines as substitutes for human sacrifice, and it represents the pinnacle of that tradition. The extraordinary scale and lifelike realism were achieved not only through the craftsmen’s skill but also by the will of China’s first feudal emperor, Qinshihuang. Determined to honor his glorious achievements, he built an unparalleled underground palace. Thus, this vast subterranean army emerged, enduring over 2,000 years to become today’s priceless treasure.
The Qin Terracotta Army pits are oriented eastward, with three pits arranged in a triangular pattern. Pit 1, the first discovered, is rectangular with sloped entrance ramps on all sides. To its left and right are Pit 2 and Pit 3.
The pits are underground rammed-earth and wood structures. A large pit roughly 5 meters deep was dug, and parallel earthen partition walls were built inside. Wooden pillars lined both sides of the walls, supporting horizontal beams. These beams and the partition walls were densely covered with timber, on top of which a layer of reed mats was laid, then covered with loess, forming the pit roof about 2 meters above the contemporary ground level. The floor was paved with grey bricks. The interior height from the ceiling to the floor is 3.2 meters. After the pottery warriors and horses were placed, the entrances were sealed with vertical timbers and packed earth, creating an enclosed underground structure.
Pit 1 is the most completely displayed, containing over 8,000 warriors and horses, each uniquely featured and vividly lifelike, arranged in a precise battle formation. Even though many figures are now damaged, the grandeur of the original spectacle remains palpable.
Shuyuanmen (Academy Gate) is located on the east side inside the South Gate, extending east to Anju Lane and connecting with Sanxue Street. In the 20th year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty (1592), scholar Feng Congwu, after losing a political struggle against the eunuch faction, resigned and returned home, teaching at Baoqing Temple. Later, he founded the Guanzhong Academy on the north side of the street, which at its peak had over a thousand students and became a famous institution. Today, Shuyuanmen refers to the pedestrian street from the Stele Forest to the entrance of Guanzhong Academy, and the name derives from the academy inside.
The current Shuyuanmen was restored in 1991, preserving the original Ming and Qing architectural styles on both sides. It’s an ancient-culture street lined with shops selling antiques, calligraphy, paintings, and the four treasures of the study (brush, ink, paper, and inkstone). A child named Dingdang, who seemed to have traveled through time from the prosperous Tang Dynasty, was likely inspired by the cultural atmosphere, carefully picking out a favorite calligraphy brush. Could this mark the beginning of a journey into the world of calligraphy?
Xi'an Huimin Street (Muslim Quarter) is a famous food and culture district, the most concentrated area for Xi’an’s specialty snacks. Though not long—about 500 meters from north to south—the street is paved with bluestone, shaded by green trees, and flanked by Ming- and Qing-style buildings. Restaurants and shops here are run by the Hui ethnic community, offering a strong halal flavor.
The fame of Huimin Street has spread nationwide. Probably every visitor to Xi'an makes a point of strolling through it, so bustling lanes and surging crowds are also part of its charm.
[Beilin Museum (Stele Forest)]
Beilin Museum, located at No. 15 Sanxue Street, Beilin District, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, is the earliest museum established in Shaanxi. It specializes in collecting, displaying, and researching steles, epitaphs, and stone carvings from various dynasties, making it a unique art museum in China.
Founded in 1944, the museum is built on the foundation of the over-900-year-old "Xi'an Stele Forest" and expanded using the ancient architectural complex of the Xi'an Confucian Temple. It houses over 11,000 cultural relics, including 134 pieces in 19 categories of national treasure level and 535 first-grade cultural relics. Four of the famous "Six Steeds of the Zhaoling Mausoleum" are preserved here.
[Minyuanle Pedestrian Street]
Minyuanle Pedestrian Street is a gathering place for trendy stores. I once read a travel tip online that exclaimed, “Forget Huimin Street—Minyuanle is the real favorite of Xi’an girls!” Haha, that one sentence was enough to win me over. To experience the cosmopolitan side of Xi'an and keep up with the post-90s and post-00s crowd, this 80s-born mom in the throes of a midlife crisis, along with my innocent post-10s child, came here to check in!
The street is lined with hip shops, each flaunting its unique personality. The storefronts alone are already a sight to behold.
[Yan Ji You Bookstore]
Yan Ji You Bookstore has opened many branches across the country in recent years. The name combines three Chinese characters that together form the traditional character “設” (design), a clever concept that perfectly captures the bookstore’s design-focused ethos. While I’ve visited the Yan Ji You stores in Shanghai and Chengdu, the flagship store in Xi’an’s Maike Center is the largest in China. Since its soft opening on October 30, 2018, it has become a genuine social media sensation, winning over the hearts of those who love life with both its looks and substance.
The Xi'an Maike Center flagship was designed by renowned Japanese designer Ms. Chie Konno. It’s said that the design and upfront communication took a full two years. In pursuit of a perfect creation, the designer traveled to China 16 times—a dedication that likely yielded such an exquisite work.
More than a bookstore, it’s a dreamlike library. Soaring two-story book walls, a wooden spiral staircase, and a collection of 130,000 books—every detail is stunning.
These towering book walls that stretch to the ceiling are absolutely breathtaking.
[Getting Around]
As a junction between Southwest and North China, Xi'an is a key national transportation hub. In addition to flights connecting to major cities across the country, high-speed rail now reaches in all directions. Choose the cost-effective travel option that suits you—getting close to Xi’an is easy.
Moreover, city transportation is very convenient with subways, buses, taxis, and readily available shared bikes. Whether you want a comfortable free-and-easy tour or to delve into the city’s streets and alleys, it’s all doable. I recommend the Baidu Maps app: just enter your starting point and destination, and you’ll get various route plans at the tap of a button—very reliable.
[About the Food]
Xi'an has always been a gastronomic capital. Whether it’s the nationally beloved cold noodles and roujiamo (Chinese hamburger), the ever-present lamb paomo (crumbled flatbread in mutton stew) on every street corner, or the imperial-worthy dumpling banquet, the variety of specialties is enough to keep you eating for a week without repeating a dish. So, bring your appetite, and get ready for a food journey where you won’t head home without gaining a few pounds~
